Tim Hortons doughnut competition could introduce new flavours

Sign at the more luxurious of the two Tim Hortons locations that bookend Postmedia Place in downtown TorontoPhoto by
hortons

Tim Hortons Inc., Canada’s largest coffee merchant, is adding a dark roast coffee to its menu, giving an alternative to its java blend for the first time in its 50-year history.

The Oakville, Ontario-based company is adding the new line starting today, matching the sales price of its original blend, at $1.57 for a medium cup.

By keeping its traditional coffee while giving customers a taste of something new, Tim Hortons is trying to lure the Starbucks crowd while not alienating customers on price. The company is bringing in the new drink after its own research found consumers enjoy a darker roast coffee.

“We’re hoping to sell this dark blend to those people that are still going to buy our original blend but are maybe looking for a different experience,” chief executive officer Marc Caira said in an interview at a promotional event in Toronto Thursday, which featured a performance by Canadian singer Jann Arden. “We also hope to attract other people that may be going to other places,” he said.

The coffee-and-doughnut chain, which competes with fast-food outlets like McDonald’s Corp., is expanding its product lines to boost sales as price increases remain a limited option. The company, which has 4,500 restaurants, already piloted the dark coffee blend, including in its Quebec stores.

The new coffee line is part of a larger shake-up of the menu at Tim Hortons. Caira said last week the chain is looking to broaden its brand and popularity with the lunch crowd. It’s added variety to its menu through the introduction of a crispy chicken sandwich, turkey sausage, hot breakfast sandwich, new hash browns and frozen hot chocolate.

Meanwhile, the company is also trying to make new doughnuts a routine part of its menu update.

Priestley’s favourite pitch came from Judd Mah for his breakfast-themed doughnut complete with maple syrup and bacon, “The Lumberjack.”

“He did this whole presentation with a big fake beard on and had all his co-workers from Edmonton dress up as lumberjacks,” said Priestley, laughing.

Mulroney was partial to Nikola Kostic’s pitch, a red velvet concoction called “The Big Canadian Red” in tribute to his adopted country. “I was really impressed with how heartfelt it was,” said Mulroney.

As a pastry chef, Olson sought originality. “I was looking for a sense of commitment to the creative process,” said the cookbook author, who’s had hosting stints on the Food Network Canada series “Bake with Anna Olson,” “Sugar” and “Fresh with Anna Olson.”

“I thought I was a judge on ‘Canada’s Got Talent’ — there was singing, there was dancing and physical showmanship,” said Arden.

Fitness trainer Isabelle Scantland Lebel did handstands to draw attention to her pistachio and white chocolate entry while grandmother Nancy Angus made a music video for her own version of “Party in the USA” to promote her brownie-inspired dessert.

Wednesday was the first time contestants had seen their sweet treats brought to life by Tim Hortons chefs. Their entries had evolved by using a template provided online by the company.

Four finalists will be announced Monday. The winner, who will be named later this year, will be awarded $10,000 and experience the pride of seeing their doughnuts sold at Tim Hortons.

Priestley made doughnut headlines last year after an appearance on TV’s “How I Met Your Mother.” In a fake documentary, the Los Angeles-based actor claimed he had invented “The Priestley,” a strawberry-vanilla doughnut with a chocolate Timbit nestled inside.

Tim Hortons then created a batch of the fictional pastry, and the contest followed soon after.

This year, Tim Hortons chefs designed a personalized doughnut for each of the judges, including a new version of “The Priestley.”

“It’s good but I’m kind of a classic guy. I think I want to stick with the original Priestley,” said Priestley.

The strategy paid off in the last quarter. The company’s stock hit a record on Aug. 6 after it posted results that beat estimates and said fiscal 2014 profit will top or be at the high end of its target range.

“If we continue to execute the plan flawlessly I continue to expect that we’re going to get progress consistent with whatever guidance we provide to the market,” Caira said yesterday.

The new dark roast will also be sold in 343 gram (12 ounce) bags for C$6.69 and 14-pack single serve coffee cups for C$9.99 at its restaurants and at grocers across Canada. In the U.S. it will be sold at Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop locations in 1 pound bags for $7.99 and 14-pack single serve coffee cup formats and at grocers in 12-ounce bags for $7.99 and 12-packs of single serve coffee cups for $8.99.

At the event, reporters were invited to taste the new blend in darkened rooms, heightening the senses to better appreciate the flavor, described by Caira as offering hints of “citrus, cocao and earthy tones.” Arden, who is also a judge in the company’s national Duelling Donuts Competition, added to the ambience, performing with an acoustic guitar and backing singer.

Shares of Tim Hortons rose 0.2 per cent to C$68.12 at the close in Toronto yesterday, taking their gain to 9.9 per cent this year.

The chain was founded in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1964 by the late Tim Horton, who was a National Hockey League player.

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